By RSI President Jim Riley
Dear members, partners, and supporters of the North American rail supply industry,
As we close out this year, I want to take a moment to reflect on the incredible journey we’ve undertaken together. Stepping into the role of RSI president at the end of March has been an honor and a privilege for me. Never did I dream as a child growing up in Upstate New York near so many historic centers of rail that one day I would be a part of this great industry.
Over the past eight months, I’ve met many of you, learned about the challenges and opportunities facing our industry and your companies, and witnessed firsthand the dedication and passion that drive this association forward. While this year has been one of evolutions for RSI, it has also laid the foundation for an exciting future built on collaboration, innovation, and a shared commitment to growing rail transportation.
In my May Thought Leadership “Laying Down the Tracks for Success”, I outlined three primary objectives for engaging membership, representing your greatest needs, and advancing the association. Through collaboration with the Board of Directors, volunteers, and staff, we have made great strides towards achieving these goals.
Growing RSI Membership and Participation
Thanks to the efforts of our Board and staff, we added over a dozen new members this year, including notables such as Amtrak, CAF, and Oliver Wyman. What is even more impressive is the increased level of involvement by RSI membership across all aspects of the association, particularly with regard to committee participation.
RSI members are enthusiastic and engaged at a level rarely seen in associations, and it appears to be contagious. In my brief tenure with RSI, I already have seen numbers grow for well-established committees and witnessed the reinvigoration of others that had tapered off. There is an energy that can be felt among the membership that together we are building something greater that can bring the railway supply sector to new heights.
Increasing RSI’s Reputation and Recognition Among Government, Media, and Associations
For the first time that anyone can recall, RSI was invited to testify before a congressional committee. At a June 2025 U.S. House Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Material hearing on rail innovation, Wabtec Corporation’s Executive Vice President and CTO Eric Gebhardt testified on behalf of RSI speaking for the rail supply industry.
On the heels of that, RSI held its Third Annual “Innovation in Rail” Expo on Capitol Hill in July featuring some of its member companies. This event was attended by hundreds of staff and a half dozen Members of Congress. The RSI government affairs team also has been called in by House Transportation & Infrastructure and Senate Commerce bipartisan committee staff to brief them on the industry’s priorities for the upcoming Surface Transportation reauthorization.
Through these and other advocacy efforts, RSI earned a 125% increase in media mentions compared to last year.
Along with our greater recognition on Capitol Hill and in the media, RSI has strengthened its ties within the railway association community to further advance our shared missions. A new and exciting partnership is our collaboration with the B&O Railroad Museum to celebrate “200 Years of American Rail” in 2027. As part of this, we are connecting RSI members with opportunities to provide exhibit pieces for the museum’s new Technology Hall to showcase innovations shaping the future of rail and tell our industry’s story directly to the public.
Establishing RSI as THE Voice of the Railway Supply Industry
As we look ahead to 2026, RSI will continue pushing forward on these objectives. We plan to participate in key discussions surrounding renewal of the USMCA trade agreement and the proposed Union Pacific – Norfolk Southern merger. Be on the lookout for RSI’s new economic impact study that will be more detailed and in-depth than ever before, bringing these new granular details right down to the individual state reports that you have come to rely upon and expect from RSI.
We also face reauthorization of the current Surface Transportation law set to expire in 2026. RSI is not content with just playing defense to keep what the industry currently has. We intend to play offense in this reauthorization process, fighting for policies that increase the modal share for freight rail thereby creating more business opportunities for railway suppliers and economic growth for the nation. Please be sure to let us know what your company’s priorities are so we can work to include them in our efforts.
Finally, Railway Interchange 2026 promises to be our best one yet! I am pleased to announce that Union Pacific CEO Jim Vena will deliver our keynote address on June 3. There also will be a new, outside exhibit area and specially curated education sessions selected by your peers from the railway supply industry to enhance the entire experience.
Thank you all for a fantastic year! I wish you all happiness and cheer as we head into this holiday season. I look forward to continuing the work to advance RSI and the rail supply industry in 2026!
About the Railway Supply Institute (RSI)
The Railway Supply Institute (RSI) is dedicated to advancing safety, innovation, technology, and sustainability within the freight and passenger railway supplier industry, both in North America and global markets. As the voice of the industry, RSI strategically engages in critical and urgent industry matters by leveraging the technical expertise of our members to advocate in the legislative and regulatory arenas, foster education, host impactful events, and facilitate networking opportunities. For more information visit www.rsiweb.org, follow RSI on Twitter and LinkedIn.